Vehicle Seat

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seat can be configured to include a variety of types of cushions. The seat may include primary and secondary cushions that are joined together such that the secondary cushion has a stored position under the seating surface of the primary seat cushion and a deployed position where the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent the primary seat cushion. The effective width of the seat may be greater when it is in one position than when it is in the other position. The back cushion may include first and second portions and a third portion intermediate the first and second positions. A vehicle may include left, right, and middle seats, the middle seat being configured to have two positions, the effective width of the middle seat in one position being greater than in the other position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/250,969 filed on Oct. 14, 2008, and published on Apr. 15, 2010 asPublication Number 2010/0090510, entitled “Variable Width Seat,” theentirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to seats and more particularlyto vehicle seats having multiple configurations.

2. Description of Related Art

Many passenger vehicles, such as, but not limited to, minivans and sportutility vehicles (SUVs), include multiple rows of seating. The rearpassenger seating in these vehicles is often complicated because of thevariety of uses of the seats. Many vehicles include seating that can bemoved into a variety of configurations. Some vehicles allow seating tobe stored in the floor area of the vehicle. Other vehicles have seatswith seatbacks that fold flat and become armrests or tables/consoleswith storage areas, such as cup holders. Some vehicles have seats thatcan be removed from the vehicle completely or slid along a track.

One configuration includes a set of seats, such as, a left side seat, aright side seat and a middle seat. The seats can have differing widths.The left seat and right seat may be comparatively wider than the middleseat. When the left and right seats are positioned on the vehicle floorwithout the middle seat, a space is defined therebetween. The space canbe used to store items, such as luggage or larger articles.Alternatively, the space can be filled with an accessory of the vehicle,such as a middle seat, table, console, etc.

The middle seat has a smaller width than the space between the left andright seats. This allows the user to easily install the middle seatwithout interference from the left seat or right seat. However, the useof a seat of that size means that a gap remains between the middle seatand each of the left seat and the right seat. These gaps are undesirableas items can get caught between the seats and their appearance isunappealing. It is also undesirable to size the middle seat to fittightly between the left seat and the right seat, as such aconfiguration would create too much difficulty in installation.

A variety of types of child restraint seats are frequently used in rearpassenger seats. Many newer child restraint seats include ISOFIX/LATCH(Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachment systems. These childrestraint seats include latches that releasably engage anchors on avehicle. The use of the ISOFIX/LATCH system allows a child restraintseat to be positioned in a predictable location relative to a seat. Whensuch a child restraint seat is used, the position of the seat in thevehicle is irrelevant to the safety of the child. However, if a childrestraint seat is used that is not equipped with an ISOFIX/LATCH system,it is important that the seat be positioned to allow it to be securedwith a seatbelt secured to a roof or side of a vehicle. Such aconfiguration can be complicated, as the seatbelt must be positioned ata particular location relative to the child restraint seat. This canmake ingress and egress to the rear area of the vehicle difficult.

The exemplary embodiments described herein identify configurations thatimprove ingress/egress from the rear passenger area and minimize thespaces between the seats while maintaining the flexibility of knownseating arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle seat, in one aspect, can include a seat base, a primarycushion, and a secondary seat cushion. The primary seat cushion has aseating surface and is supported at a vertical height on the seat base.The secondary seat cushion has a seating surface, a stored position, anda deployed position. The secondary seat cushion is secured to theprimary seat cushion. In its stored position, the secondary seat cushionis positioned under the primary seat cushion's seating surface. In itsdeployed position, the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent theprimary seat cushion. The vertical height of the primary seat cushionremains constant when the secondary seat cushion is in its stored anddeployed positions.

In another aspect, the vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seatcushion removably attached to the seat base. The seat cushion can beconfigured to attach to the seat base in both a first position and asecond position. The effective width of the seat cushion may be greaterin one of the positions than in the other position.

In another aspect, a vehicle seat includes a seat cushion and a backcushion. The back cushion includes first, second, and third portions.The first and second portions both include inner edges and outer edgesand are each positionable in a retracted position and an expandedposition. The third portion of the back cushion may be positionedintermediate the first and second portions. The inner edges of the firstand second portions may be adjacent each other when the first and secondportions are in the retracted position. The inner edges of the first andsecond portions may be separated from one another in the expandedposition. The third portion may bridge the first and second portionswhen the seat back is in its expanded position.

In another aspect, a vehicle can include a left seat, a middle seat, anda right seat. The right seat may be spaced laterally from the left seatand the middle seat may be disposed between the right seat and the leftseat. The middle seat may have a first position and a second position.The middle seat may have an effective width that is greater in its firstposition than in its second position. The left, right, and middle seatsmay have substantially the same height in the first and secondpositions.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention willbe, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description and this summary, bewithin the scope of the invention, and be protected by the followingclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exemplary embodiments can be better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings and description. The components in the figures arenot necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures,like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodimentincorporated in a vehicle as a portion of a second row seat.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a first exemplary embodiment incorporated in avehicle as a portion of a second row seat.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodimentincorporated in a vehicle as a portion of a second row seat.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of anadjustable width seat with a secondary seat cushion in a deployedposition.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of anadjustable width seat with a secondary seat cushion in a storedposition.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a first exemplary embodiment of an adjustablewidth seat with a secondary seat cushion in a deployed position.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a first exemplary embodiment of an adjustablewidth seat with a secondary seat cushion in a stored position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partially in cutaway of a second exemplaryembodiment incorporated in a vehicle as a portion of a second row seat.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a second exemplary embodiment incorporated in avehicle as a portion of a second row seat.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of anadjustable width seat in a deployed position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of anadjustable width seat in a stored position.

FIG. 12 is a front view, partially in section, of a second exemplaryembodiment of an adjustable width seat in an expanded position.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a back of an adjustable width seat in anexpanded position.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a back of an adjustable width seat in aretracted position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodimentincorporated in a vehicle as a portion of a second row seat.

FIG. 16 is a top view of a third exemplary embodiment incorporated in avehicle as a portion of a second row seat.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a third exemplary embodiment of anadjustable width seat.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cushion of the third exemplaryembodiment of the adjustable width seat.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the cushion of the third exemplary embodimentof the adjustable width seat.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodimentincorporated in a vehicle as a portion of a second row seat with asupplemental cushion in its deployed position.

FIG. 21 is a top view of a third exemplary embodiment incorporated in avehicle as a portion of a second row seat with a supplemental cushion inits deployed position.

FIG. 22 is perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of theadjustable width seat with the cushion removed.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of the lower side of the cushion of the fourthexemplary embodiment of the adjustable width seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, a first exemplary embodiment includes a set ofseats 110. The seats 110 include a seat 112 for a vehicle that isdescribed in detail herein. On a left side 114 of the seat 112 is a leftseat 116 that includes a left seat cushion 118, a left back 120, and aleft base 122. On a right side 124 of the seat 112 is a right seat 126that includes a right seat cushion 128, a right back 130, and a rightbase 132. Each of the seat 112, the left seat 116, and the right seat126 may be separable from a vehicle floor 134. In one exemplaryembodiment, the seats 110 may form a second row of seats in aminivan-type vehicle. However, the seats could be positioned anywherewithin any vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the seats 110 of FIG. 1. Left seat 116 has awidth 136 and right seat 126 has a width 138. The widths of the seatsmay be dissimilar. Left seat 116 and right seat 126 may be comparativelywider than seat 112. Left seat 116 and right seat 126 may be designed tobe mirror images of one another, in which case width 136 and width 138will be similar, tending to differ only in the amount of acceptabletolerances in the manufacturing processes. When the left and right seats116, 126 are positioned on the vehicle floor 134, there is a gap 140having a width 142 therebetween. The seat 112 may have a width 144 thatis less than the width 142 of the gap 140. Spaces 146 and 148 may remainbetween the seat 112 and each of the left seat 116 and the right seat126, respectively, when the seat 112 is in a normal position.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the seat 112 includes a seat base152. A primary seat cushion 154 may be supported at a vertical height156 on the seat base 152. The primary seat cushion 154 functions as thelower seat cushion to support a user and includes a seating surface 158that a user can occupy. The seat 112 further includes a back cushion 160against which a user can lean when seated on the seat 112. The seat 112may further include a headrest 162 and other features, such as armrests,a lumbar support, seat heaters, and the like, that are common to vehicleseats generally, but which are not shown in the Figures.

In addition to these features, the seat 112 includes a secondary seatcushion 164. The secondary seat cushion 164 may be secured to the seat112 with any appropriate structure that allows the secondary seatcushion to move between a stored position 166 and a deployed position168. FIGS. 4 and 6 show the seat where the secondary seat cushion 164 isin its deployed position 168. FIGS. 5 and 7 show the seat where thesecondary seat cushion 164 is in its stored position 166. In theexemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the secondary seat cushion164 may be hingedly connected to the primary seat cushion 154.

In its stored position 166, the secondary seat cushion 164 may bepositioned under the seating surface 158 of the primary seat cushion 154and may be positioned entirely under the primary seat cushion 154. Theseat base 152 may define a recess 170 therein. The secondary seatcushion 164 can be sized and shaped to be positioned in the recess 170in the seat base 152 in the stored position.

In its deployed position 168, the secondary seat cushion 164 may bepositioned adjacent the primary seat cushion 154. In one exemplaryembodiment, the secondary seat cushion 164 includes a seating surface172. In the deployed position 168, the seating surface 172 of thesecondary seat cushion 164 may be placed adjacent the seating surface158 of the primary seat cushion 154. In the exemplary embodiment shownin FIGS. 1-7, the secondary seat cushion 164 is placed beside theprimary seat cushion 154 in the deployed position 168.

As can be seen most clearly by comparing FIGS. 6 and 7, the verticalheight 156 of the primary seat cushion 154 may remain substantiallyconstant when the secondary seat cushion 164 is in its stored 166 anddeployed 168 positions. As can also be seen in these two Figures, theprimary seat cushion 154 may slide or move laterally with respect to thebase 152. The seat may be positioned so that the weight of the seat andany user would be distributed evenly across the base 152.

Additional structure(s) may be provided that lock or hold the parts ofthe seat 112 in the various configurations. For example, the hinge 174can include one or more springs (not shown) that urge the secondarycushion 164 into one of the stored 166 and deployed 168 positions. Theelements that allow the primary cushion 154 to move laterally mayinclude a lock structure that secures the cushion 154 in positionrelative to the seat base 152. Such a slide and lock structure could bea structure similar to that used in conjunction with other seats thatare permitted to have varying positions, such as the driver's seat.

A second exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8-12. As seen mostclearly in FIG. 8, this exemplary embodiment includes a set of seats210. The seats 210 include a seat 212 for a vehicle that is described indetail herein. On a left side 214 of the seat 212 is a left seat 216that includes a left seat cushion 218, a left back 220, and a left base222. On a right side 224 of the seat 212 is a right seat 226 thatincludes a right seat cushion 228, a right back 230, and a right base232. Each of the seat 212, the left seat 216, and the right seat 226 maybe separable from a vehicle floor 234. In this exemplary embodiment, theseats 210 may form a second row of seats in a minivan-type vehicle.However, the seats could be positioned anywhere within any vehicle.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the seats 10 of FIG. 8. Left seat 216 has awidth 236 and right seat 226 has a width 238. The widths of the seatsmay be dissimilar. Left seat 216 and right seat 226 may be comparativelywider than seat 212. Left seat 216 and right seat 226 may be designed tobe mirror images of one another, in which case width 236 and width 238will be similar, tending to differ only in the amount of acceptabletolerances in the manufacturing processes. When the left and right seats216, 226 are positioned on the vehicle floor 234, there is a gap 240having a width 242 therebetween. The seat 212 may have a width 244 thatis less than the width 242 of the gap 240. Spaces 246 and 248 may remainbetween the seat 212 and each of the left seat 216 and the right seat226, respectively, when the seat 212 is in a normal position.

The seat 212 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 10-12. This exemplaryembodiment includes a seat 212 for a vehicle. The seat 212 includes aseat base 252. A primary seat cushion 254, 255 is supported at avertical height 256 on the seat base 252. The primary seat cushion 254,255 functions as the lower seat cushion to support a user and includes aseating surface 258, 259 that a user can occupy. The seat 212 furtherincludes a back cushion 260 against which a user can lean when seated onthe seat 212. The seat 212 may further include a headrest 262 and otherfeatures, such as armrests, a lumbar support, seat heaters, and thelike, that are common to vehicle seats generally, but which are notshown in the Figures.

In addition to these features, the seat 212 may include a secondary seatcushion 264. The secondary seat cushion 264 is secured to the seat 212with any appropriate structure that allows the secondary seat cushion tomove between a stored position 266 and a deployed position 268. FIG. 10shows the seat 212 where the secondary seat cushion 264 is in itsdeployed position 268. FIG. 11 shows the seat 212 where the secondaryseat cushion 264 is in its stored position 266. FIG. 12 is a crosssectional view of the seat 212 taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10 showingthe secondary seat cushion 264 in an intermediate position.

In its stored position 266, the secondary seat cushion 264 may bepositioned under the seating surface 258, 259 of the primary seatcushion 254, 255 and may be positioned entirely under the primary seatcushion 254, 255. The seat base 252 may define a recess 270 therein. Thesecondary seat cushion 264 can be sized and shaped to be positioned inthe recess 270 in the seat base 252 in the stored position 266.

In its deployed position 268, the secondary seat cushion 264 may bepositioned adjacent the primary seat cushion 254, 255. The secondaryseat cushion 264 includes a seating surface 272. In the deployedposition 268, the seating surface 272 of the secondary seat cushion 264maybe placed adjacent the seating surface 258, 259 of the primary seatcushion 254, 255.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-12, the primary seatcushion 254, 255 divides along a medial split 273 and is split into aright seat cushion portion 254 and a left seat cushion portion 255. Eachof these cushion portions 254, 255 has its own seating surface portion258, 259, respectively.

The vertical height 256 of the primary seat cushion 254, 255 remainssubstantially constant when the secondary seat cushion 264 is in itsstored 266 and deployed 268 positions. As can be best seen in FIG. 12,the primary seat cushion portions 254, 255 may slide or move laterallywith respect to the base 252. The seat may be positioned so that theweight of the seat and any user would be distributed evenly across thebase 252.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-12, the secondary cushion264 may be stored internally to the base 252. In such a case, theprimary cushion portions 254, 255 may be moved laterally outwardly awayfrom the medial split 273. When the primary cushion portions 254, 255move outwardly from the medial split 273, the link 274 may also bepulled outwardly. When link 274 is pulled outwardly, it may move thesecondary cushion 264 upwardly. In the deployed position 268, the link274 may desirably be substantially flat across the bottom of the primarycushion portions 254, 255 and secondary cushion 264. In the finaldeployed position 268, secondary cushion 264 may be positioned betweenthe right primary cushion portion 264 and the left primary cushionportion 265. The link 274 may be designed to cause the movement of thesecondary cushion 264 upon inward and outward lateral movement of theprimary cushion portions 254, 255, thereby allowing ease of use andmovement by a user.

In order to accommodate the lateral movement of the cushion portions254, 255 and the insertion of the secondary cushion 264, these cushions254, 255, 264 may be covered by a skin 276. The skin 276 may be madefrom any material with sufficient elasticity to permit it to deform toallow the lateral movement to the deployed position or be sufficientlyflexible and compressible to be folded and inserted between the rightand left cushion portions 254, 255 in the medial split 273 in the storedposition 266. Alternatively, each cushion 254, 255, 264 can beindividually wrapped in a skin.

Additional structures may be provided that lock or hold the parts of theseat 212 in the various configurations. For example, the elements thatallow the primary cushion portions 254, 255 to move laterally mayinclude lock structures that secure the cushion portions 254, 255 inposition relative to the seat base 252. Such a slide and lock structurecould be a structure similar to that used in conjunction with otherseats that are permitted to have varying positions, such as the driver'sseat. In addition, the link 274 may be configured to allow the secondarycushion 264 to be further locked in place in each of the deployed 256and stored 258 positions.

For either of the above two exemplary embodiments or any other exemplaryembodiments of the primary cushion, the seat back may expand laterallyto conform in width to the primary cushion. FIGS. 13 and 14 are crosssectional views of a back cushion that can be used with any of the seatcushion embodiments described herein or in any other context where aseat back cushion with a variable width is desirable. References aremade to FIG. 12, but it will be understood that these reference are notlimiting on the situation in which the seat back cushion can be used.

As shown generally in FIG. 12, the seat 212 includes a seat cushion 254,255, 264 and a back cushion 260. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the backcushion 260 includes a first portion 302, a second portion 304, and athird portion 306. The third portion 306 is positioned intermediate thefirst portion 302 and the second portion 304. The first portion 302includes an inner edge 308 and an outer edge 310. The second portion 304includes an inner edge 312 and an outer edge 314. Each of the first andsecond portions 302, 304 are positionable in an expanded position asshown in FIG. 13 and in a retracted portion as shown in FIG. 14. Asshown in FIG. 14, when the first and second portions 302, 304 are in theretracted position, the inner edge 308 of the first portion 302 isadjacent the inner edge 312 of the second portion 304. As shown in FIG.13, when the first and second portions 302, 304 are in the expandedposition, the inner edge 308 of the first portion 302 is separated fromthe inner edge 312 of the second portion 304. In this expanded position,the inner edges 308, 312 are bridged by the third portion 306.

The third portion 306 may include additional structure or haveadditional qualities. The third portion 306 may function as a part ofthe back cushion 260, and support some weight from a user. Accordingly,a stay 314 may be attached to the skin 316 covering the back cushion 260about in the middle of the third portion 306. The stay 314 may be amaterial such as rubber or the like that will provide both stability andcompressibility. Additionally, springs 318 may be used to urge the firstportion 302 and second portion 304 into their expanded portions. Lockingmechanisms (not shown) may be included to allow the first and secondportions 302, 304 to be securely positioned in both the retracted andexpanded positions. The material for the skin 316 may be any materialthat gives sufficient elasticity to allow the first and second portions302, 304 to move between the retracted and expanded positions easily orfold easily into the space between the first and second portions 302,304 when they are in their retracted position. A headrest 320 may beincluded on the seat back cushion 310. The headrest 320 may be aconventional headrest and may be made of a single material or acombination of materials.

A third exemplary embodiment may be seen in FIGS. 15-21. As shown inFIG. 15, this exemplary embodiment includes a set of seats 410. Theseats 410 include a seat 412 for a vehicle that is described in detailherein. On a left side 414 of the seat 412 is a left seat 416 thatincludes a left seat cushion 418, a left back 420, and a left base 422.On a right side 424 of the seat 412 is a right seat 426 that includes aright seat cushion 428, a right back 430, and a right base 432. Each ofthe seat 412, the left seat 416, and the right seat 426 may be separablefrom a vehicle floor 434. In one exemplary embodiment, the seats 410 mayform a second row of seats in a minivan-type vehicle. However, the seatscould be positioned anywhere within any vehicle.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the seats 410 of FIG. 16. Left seat 416 has awidth 436 and right seat 426 has a width 438. The widths of the seatsmay be dissimilar. Left seat 416 and right seat 426 may be comparativelywider than seat 412. Left seat 416 and right seat 426 may be designed tobe mirror images of one another, in which case width 436 and width 438will be similar, tending to differ only in the amount of acceptabletolerances in the manufacturing processes. When the left and right seats416, 426 are positioned on the vehicle floor 434, there is a gap 440having a width 442 therebetween. The seat 412 may have a width 444 thatis less than the width 442 of the gap 440. Spaces 446 and 448 may remainbetween the seat 412 and each of the left seat 416 and the right seat426, respectively, when the seat 412 is in a normal position.

In this exemplary embodiment, a seat 412 includes a seat base 452 and aseat cushion 454. The seat base 452 may include various elements. Theseat base 452 may include conventional hooks 456 and other attachmentstructures (not shown) for securing the seat 412 to the floor of avehicle. The seat base 452 may also include a drawer 458 or otherstorage structures. The seat 412 also includes a seat back 460 securedto the seat base 452.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 15-21, the seat cushion 454may be removably secured to the seat base 452 through cooperativestructures. Attachment structures, such as latches 462, 464 may besecured to the underside of the seat cushion 454 and configured to matewith rails 466, 467 on the seat base 452. A user can pull a strap 468 onthe cushion 454 to separate the seat cushion 454 from the seat base 452.The seat base 452 may include rails 466 that mate with the latches 462,464 to attach the seat cushion 454 to the seat base in a first position.The seat base 452 may also include rails 467 that mate with the latches462, 464 to attach the seat cushion 454 to the seat base 452 in a secondposition.

The seat cushion 454 has a length 470 and a width 472. The length 470 ofthe seat cushion 454 may be greater than the width 472. When the seatcushion 454 is attached to the seat base in the first position, theeffective width of the seat cushion 454 is the width 472. When the seatcushion 454 is attached to the seat base in the second position, theeffective width of the seat cushion 454 is the length 470. Accordingly,when the seat cushion 454 is in the second position, its effective widthis greater than when it is in the first position.

In some exemplary embodiments, a supplemental cushion 474 can be securedto the seat cushion 454. As may be best seen in FIG. 19, thesupplemental cushion 474 can be rotationally secured to the seat cushion454 with conventional structures. The supplemental cushion 474 can bepositioned in a stored position 476 shown in dashed lines and a deployedposition 478 shown in solid lines in FIG. 19. In the stored position476, the supplemental cushion 474 may be positioned under the seatcushion 454. In one exemplary embodiment, the supplemental cushion 474may be positioned in a recess 480 in an underside 482 of the seatcushion 454. In the deployed position 478, the supplemental cushion 474may be positioned adjacent the seat cushion 454.

The supplemental cushion 454 can be used to change the effective lengthof the cushion 454 for the comfort of passengers, aesthetic reasons, orfor any reason whatsoever. The use of the combination of cushions ismost clearly seen in FIGS. 20-21 and by comparing FIGS. 20 and 21 toFIGS. 15 and 16. The length 484 of the supplemental cushion 474 may beabout the same as the width 472 of the cushion 454. Thus, when thesupplemental cushion 474 is in the deployed position 478 and the cushion454 is attached in the second position, the supplemental cushion 474will cover the portion of the seat base 452 that would have been coveredby a rear portion of the cushion 454 if it were attached in the firstposition. Similarly, when the seat cushion 454 is attached in the secondposition and the supplemental cushion 474 is in its deployed position478, the effective length 486 of the cushion 454 is the width 472 of thecushion and the width 473 of the supplemental cushion 474. It isdesirable that the effective length 486 be about the same as the length470 of the cushion 454.

A fourth exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. Theembodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 is similar to that shown in FIGS.15-21 except that the structure for securing the seat cushion 504 to theseat base 502 differs.

In this exemplary embodiment, a seat 500 includes a seat base 502 and aseat cushion 504. The seat base 502 may include various elements. Theseat base 502 may include conventional hooks 506 and other attachmentstructures (not shown) for securing the seat 500 to the floor of avehicle. The seat base 502 may also include a drawer 508 or otherstorage structures. The seat 500 also includes a seat back 510 securedto the seat base 502.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the seat cushion504 is removably secured to the seat base 502 through cooperativestructures. Attachment structures, such as mating grooves 512, 514 maybe secured to the underside of the seat cushion 504 and configured toslide to mate with mating grooves 516 on the seat base 402. The seatcushion 504 may include grooves 512 that slide to mate with the seatbase grooves 516 to attach the seat cushion 504 to the seat base 502 ina first position. The seat cushion 504 may also include grooves 514 thatslide to mate with the seat base grooves 516 to attach the seat cushion504 to the seat base 502 in a second position.

The seat cushion 504 has a length 520 and a width 522. The length 520 ofthe seat cushion 504 may be greater than the width 522. When the seatcushion 504 is attached to the seat base 502 in the first position, theeffective width of the seat cushion 504 is the width 522. When the seatcushion 504 is attached to the seat base 502 in the second position, theeffective width of the seat cushion 504 is the length 520. Accordingly,when the seat cushion 504 is in the second position, its effective widthis greater than when it is in the first position.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 does not include thedetails of a supplemental cushion. However, a person having ordinaryskill in the art of vehicle seat design can easily incorporate asupplemental cushion such as that shown in FIGS. 15-21 into the seatcushion 504.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, thedescription is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and itwill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scopeof the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restrictedexcept in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also,various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of theattached claims.

1. A seat for a vehicle, comprising: a seat cushion; and a back cushioncomprising first, second, and third portions, the first and secondportions including inner edges and outer edges, the first portion andthe second portion each being positionable in a retracted position andan expanded position, and the third portion positioned intermediate thefirst and second portions, wherein when the first and second portionsare in the retracted position, the inner edges of the first and secondportions are adjacent one another, and wherein when the first and secondportions are in an expanded position, the inner edges are separated fromone another and are bridged by the third portion.
 2. The seat for avehicle according to claim 1, wherein the back cushion includes at leastone spring urging the first portion and the second portion in theexpanded position.
 3. The seat for a vehicle according to claim 1,wherein the back cushion includes a headrest.
 4. The seat for a vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein the back cushion includes a stay attachedto a skin covering the back cushion, the stay providing both stabilityand compressibility to the back cushion.
 5. The seat for a vehicleaccording to claim 4, wherein the stay is rubber.
 6. A seat for avehicle, comprising: a seat base; a seat cushion having a first positionand a second position, the seat cushion having an effective width in thefirst position greater than an effective width in the second position;and a back cushion disposed adjacent to the primary seat cushion, theback cushion having a retracted position and an expanded position,wherein the back cushion has a first width in the retracted position anda second width in the expanded position, the second width being widerthan the first width.
 7. The seat for a vehicle according to claim 6,wherein the back cushion comprises a first portion, a second portion,and a third portion, the first portion and the second portion each beingpositionable in a retracted position and an expanded position, and thethird portion positioned intermediate the first and second portions,wherein when the first and second portions are in the retractedposition, the first portion and the second portion contact one another,and wherein when the first and second portions are in an expandedposition, the first portion and the second portion are separated fromone another and are bridged by the third portion.
 8. The seat for avehicle according to claim 7, wherein the back cushion includes at leastone spring urging the first portion and the second portion in theexpanded position.
 9. The seat for a vehicle according to claim 7,wherein the seat cushion has a primary seat cushion supported on theseat base and having a seating surface; a secondary seat cushion securedto the primary seat cushion and having a seating surface, wherein in thefirst position the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent theprimary seat cushion, and in the second position the secondary seatcushion is positioned under the seating surface of the primary seatcushion.
 10. The seat for a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein in thefirst position the secondary seat cushion is positioned laterallyadjacent at least a portion of the primary seat cushion.
 11. The seatfor a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein in the first position thesecondary seat cushion is positioned laterally adjacent at least aportion of the primary seat cushion.
 12. A vehicle, comprising: a leftseat; a right seat spaced laterally from said left seat; and a middleseat disposed between said left seat and said right seat, said middleseat including a back cushion having a retracted position and anexpanded position, wherein the back cushion has a first width in theretracted position and a second width in the expanded position, thesecond width being wider than the first width.
 13. The vehicle of claim12, wherein the back cushion comprises a first portion, a secondportion, and a third portion, the first portion and the second portioneach being positionable in a retracted position and an expandedposition, and the third portion positioned intermediate the first andsecond portions, wherein when the first and second portions are in theretracted position, the first portion and the second portion contact oneanother, and wherein when the first and second portions are in anexpanded position, the first portion and the second portion areseparated from one another and are bridged by the third portion.
 14. Thevehicle of claim 12, wherein the distance between the back cushion andthe left seat is greater in the retracted position than in the expandedposition.
 15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the distance between theback cushion and the right seat is greater in the retracted positionthan in the expanded position.
 16. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein themiddle seat cushion includes a primary seat cushion and a secondary seatcushion movable between a stored position and a deployed position. 17.The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the secondary seat cushion ispositioned under the primary seat cushion in the stored position. 18.The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the secondary seat cushion ispositioned adjacent the primary seat cushion in the deployed position.19. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the distance between the middleseat cushion and the left seat is greater in the stored position than inthe deployed position.
 20. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the distancebetween the middle seat cushion and the right seat is greater in thestored position than in the deployed position.